A note from our Pastor:

”And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Ephesians 6:15

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week, the Apostle moves to the next aspect of the armor of the Roman soldier. Again, this military metaphor is one the Apostle had used before, but as he was in close contact with the Romans who imprisoned him he was able to observe them and refine the picture he presented.

After the breastplate and belt, the Roman soldier would put on the armor for his feet and lower legs. On his feet he would employ a form of sandal which covered his foot and often had spikes on the bottom which allowed him to have a better foothold when fighting or climbing. On the lower legs were worn protections which would have made the sandals similar to boots. These protections were often made of iron or brass and were almost universally worn among the Greeks and Romans.

The shoes and leg guards worn were of vital importance to the soldier in the field. The feet and ankles are the foundation of any person. If a soldier’s feet were not properly cared for and his legs protected from injury then the soldier was of no use to the army. In particular, in a world where the soldier moved on foot almost exclusively, the health and protection of the feet and legs was vital to the overall protection of the soldier.

In this verse, the Apostle compares the shoes and leg guards worn by the soldier to the gospel, but in particular to the gospel of peace. The gospel, in general, provides the protection for the foundation of the disciple. However, the greatest protection comes in understanding the peace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Knowing the teachings of Christ regarding the need for love, mercy, and forgiveness allows the disciple to gain a strong foothold when defending himself or herself from the wiles of the devil. Without this knowledge it is easy to fall into rage and blaming others. It is easy to have harsh feelings against those who receive blessings in the midst of your tribulation. It is easy to forget the compassion which is necessary to survive the work of the devil.

The gospel of peace protects the foundation of the child of God in the truth of Jesus Christ and his mercy.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah